556 



MICKOPTEKOrUS. 



Palate-ridges (fig. 39). — Eive thick and prominent ridges, and 

 two (or three) inconspicuous thin and serrate ridges close together 

 at palation rim. First ridge at canines and postcanine diastemas, 

 undivided, hastate, with the point directed backward. Second to 

 fiifth ridges divided by a deep groove extending along median line 

 of palate, broadest in front and gradually narrowing posteriorly ; 



/ 



Fig. 39. — Palate-ridges of Micro pteropus pusillas (8.7.27.2). 

 I (linear). 



thus divided in the middle the ridges form four thick triangular 

 prominences along either border of the groove ; for position of these 

 prominences see figure. 



External characters. — General aspect as Epomophorus, but muzzle 

 much shorter, centre of eye almost midway between ear and nostril 

 (in Epomophorus much nearer the former), lips less expansible, ears 

 relatively much shorter but scarcely differing in shape, and size of 

 animals smaller. External tail generally more easily detected by 

 touch than by eye (caudal vertebrse three). Interfemoral well 

 developed in centre (depth about 3-6 mm.) and laterally, calcar one- 

 third to one-fourth of hind foot with claws (compare Plerotes). 

 Vertical fasciae of mesopatagium (those crossing in antero-pos- 

 terior direction the main internal cutaneous line) few, 11-16; 

 membranes arising low down on sides of back and inserted poste- 

 riorly at middle or distal half of first phalanx of second toe. Pollex 

 and metacarpals and terminal phalanges of third, fourth, and fifth 

 digits a little longer than in Epomophorus. The table below shows 

 in the upper row the wing-indices of Micropteropus calculated from 

 measurements of eight adult individuals, in the lower row those of 

 Epomophorus for comparison : — 



